It also depends on how long you've been running and how many races you've completed (times?).
I started running with the goal of running a marathon. My very good and experienced friend convinced me that a) for the first marathon a 'just want to finish' goal might be good and b) to run other races! Looking back, I definetely had some left over at the end of the marathon, but I wanted to run conservatively to not fizzle in the middle. Now that I've explored the 26.2 distance and know what to expect, I can get ready to race a marathon. I've also become a more experienced and efficient runner over time.
As for the races before the big 26.2 - I did a 5k, 10k and Half Marathon. My Half Marathon PR still stands 4 HM's later .

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.

Scout7

CPT Curmudgeon

posted: 8/15/2007 at 6:46 AM

I ran Baltimore last year, with just under 3:30 (my goal). I followed Higdon's Intermediate II Marathon plan. I never did much more other than a few races, and ran the distances prescribed. I barely did tempo runs or anything like that.
For what you're looking at, you probably don't need to get fancy.